Starting five: The Yankees reloaded their rotation, acquiring young fireballer RHP Michael Pineda from Seattle and signing veteran RHP Hiroki Kuroda. Even after trading the enigmatic A.J. Burnett, New York still has a surplus of starters, having to decide how to fill in the back end between RHP Phil Hughes and RHP Freddy Garcia.

Lightning Rod: Boasting a lineup filled with middle-of-the-order type bats, the Yankees need 3B Alex Rodriguez, left, to be the dangerous cleanup hitter he has been in the past. Rodriguez, coming off a disappointing, injury-plagued season (16 homers and 62 RBIs in 99 games), says he's healthy and ready, with manager Joe Girardi expecting a "big year."

Down to two: With "Core Four" members LHP Andy Pettitte and C Jorge Posada retiring in consecutive seasons, SS Derek Jeter and closer Mariano Rivera are left to carry the torch, hoping to beat Father Time. Rivera, 42, who hinted this could be his last season, is as good as ever, and Jeter will once again be the leadoff hitter.

Leaning left: One of the few position battles will be in leftfield, where perpetual prospect Travis Snider and rookie Eric Thames are the main candidates. Snider has shown some power but has been inconsistent (.248 batting average in four seasons). Thames improved his defense last season.

In closing: Instead of a revolving door for a closer, the Jays will turn to a familiar face, Sergio Santos, left, a former Toronto shortstop prospect who made a rapid ascent as a reliever. Santos, 28, racked up 30 saves in 36 chances last year for the White Sox. He was acquired during the winter meetings and will be helped by veteran righty Francisco Cordero.

Old school: Omar Vizquel, 45, broke into the big leagues before 3B Brett Lawrie was born, but he could be playing alongside him if he makes the team. Vizquel, signed to a minor-league deal, is competing for the utility infielder spot and said this will likely be his last season.

Armed and ready: The "Fab Five" rotation of a year ago, hyped as potentially one of the best ever, failed to accomplish its ultimate goal. But after losing to the World Series champion Cardinals in the NLDS, the "Big Three" — RHP Roy Halladay, LHP Cliff Lee and LHP Cole Hamels — hold the key to where the Phillies finish.

Chasing Utley: The recovery of All-Star 1B Ryan Howard from left Achilles' surgery will be monitored throughout the spring, though he might not be ready until May. The return to form of 2B Chase Utley, above, could be just as important. Utley, coming off the worst season of his career while dealing with a chronic right knee injury, believes he can "overcome this without a doubt."

Packing Pap: The Phillies made RHP Jonathan Papelbon one of the richest relievers of all time, a four-year, $50 million deal. Replacing RHP Brad Lidge and RHP Ryan Madson as closer is no easy task, but the former Red Sox star is rejuvenated by a change of leagues — and scenery.